Running-board apron guard



Patented July 17, 1923.

* TATES RUNNING-BOARD APRON GUARD.

Application filed April 18, 1921. Serial No. 462,137.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, SAMUEL L. Hoorns and ARTHUR A. GIn'rZnL'r, citizens of the United States and Great Britain, respectively, and residing at Fresno, in the county of Fresno, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Running-Board Apron Guards, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an improved device for protecting the running board apron and fenders from becoming scratched or damaged by the feet of persons getting in and out of the vehicle.

In the use of an automobile not equipped with our invention it frequently happens that in getting into or out of the same the toes or heels of th shoes of the passenger come into contactwvith the running board apron or fender and damage the varnish thereby spoiling the appearance of the same and necessitating frequent repainting.

It is the object of our invention to provide a cheap, simple and efficient device which may be easily and quickly attached to a vehicle to protect the parts liable to become damaged as above set forth without materially altering the same.

It is another object of our invention to provide a cheap, simple and efficient device of the above character which may be easily attached to or detached from its place of use or which may be folded or swung to an inoperative position when desired.

Other objects and advantages will appear herein and, While we have shown and will describe the preferred form of our invention, it will be understood that we do not limit ourselves to such preferred form but that various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of our invention.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of our fender guard detached from its place of use.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of Fig 5.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail of another form of securing means.

Figs. 4:, 5 and 6 are fragmentary details on an enlarged scale of another form of our invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the hinge member used with the forms shown in Figs. i, 5 and 6.

Referring to the drawings:

Our device comprises a body member 12 substantially rectangular in front elevation and being curved longitudinally. to conform to the curvature of the running board apron. This curvature may be omitted if desired, or it may be given any other shape desirable. Extending outwardly or forwardly from the lower horizontal edge of member 12 and at right angles thereto are ears 13 and 14.- provided with apertures 15 and 16 extending therethrough through which ar passed bolts 17 and 18 by means of which the device is secured to the running board 19 just beneath the door 20. Extending rearwardly from the lower edge of member 12 intermediate its length and at right angles thereto is an ear 21 adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the running board 19 to assist in maintaining member 12 in its vertical position. A plurality of ears 21 may be used if desired or necessary, in which case the same would b spaced equally of the length of said member 12.

Secured to running board 1.9., just in front of the rear fender 22. is our fender guard 23, which is similar in all substantial respects to our running board apron guard 12, with the exceptions that it extends higher above the running board and the curvature is made greater to avoid interference with the rear door.

In Fig. 7 w have shown our body member 12 provided with separable securing means preferably L-shaped in end elevation which provide means whereby the attaching means may be concealed entirely from view.

In the forms shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 we provide in the lower edge of body member 12 a plurality of rectangular notches 25 in which ar mounted the hinge portions 26 of the attaching members 27, being secured therein by a pintle bolt 28, it being understood that the lower edge of member 12 is rounded to permit the same to swing downwardly when desired. Extending upwardly from attaching member 27 is a lug 29 provided with an aperture 30 which aperture 80 is adapted to register with an aperture 31 in member 12 when member 12 is in its operative position, a bolt 32 passes through said aperture and with nut 33 provides means for retaining said members in their normal vertical position.

In the use of our device the same will be positioned as shown in Fig. 1 it being understood that there may be one for each door if desired. In getting into or out of the vehicle the feet of the passenger will be prevented from contacting with the apron or fender by our device thereby preventing damage to the finish of the vehicle, and the rear door will be prevented by member 23 from contacting or striking the rear fender thereby preventing the same from becoming damaged.

Having described our invention what We claim is:

l. A guard forthe running board apron of a vehicle comprising a substantially rectangular plate mounted on said running board to extend vertically; a hinged connecion between said plate and running board; and means to detachably lock said plate in its vertical position.

2. A. guard for the running board apron of a vehicle comprising a' body member mounted to extend substantially parallel with said apron; a. hinge member secured to said running board; a connection between said hinge and the lower edg of said body member whereby said body member may be swung to a position at a substantial right angle to said first position; and means extending from said hinge member adapted to be engaged by said body member to retain the same in its normal operating position.

In witness that We claim the foregoing we have hereunto subscribed our names this 9th day of April 1921.

SAMUEL L. HOOPES. ARTHUR A. GIETZELT. 

